2008 Olympic Discus Photos

Stephanie Brown-Trafton – who placed third at the U.S. Olympic Trials, then almost didn’t qualify for the Olympic final – scored a surprise victory in women’s discus in Beijing. Her first throw of the final measured 64.74 meters (212 feet, 4.82 inches), which stood up to win the gold. Yarelis Barrios of Cuba was second (63.64/208-9.5) and Olena Antonova of Ukraine finished third (62.59/205-4.2). Brown-Trafton needed all three throws during the qualification round to reach a qualifying distance, setting the stage for her success in the final. Gerd Kanter of Estonia won the 2008 men’s competition with a throw measuring 68.82 meters (225-9.5). Poland’s Piotr Malachowski was second (67.82/222-6.1) while 2000 and 2004 gold medalist Virgilijus Alekna had to settle for the bronze (67.79/222-4.9). Malachowski took the lead in the first round. He was surpassed by Kanter in the fourth round.